The color is a beautiful, deep purple-red that goes right to the edge. The nose is Bambi-in-a-glass -- soft and bright, yet gamy. Tons of berries (blackberry and blueberry) are also in there, along with enough spice to make Thai food. Just don't drink this wine with spicy Asian food. The alcohol is a bit high, and pouring it into a pepper-fueled, burning mouth is akin to pouring an enviro-friendly fossil fuel alternative on a fire.

While a lot of California syrahs are a bit hot, or high in alcohol (and this one isn't that hot, really), it's the acidity in this wine that is refreshingly high. It's not overdone; it just helps to brighten up the fruit, and make this a better match with a wider range of foods -- from mock-beef to "Not Dogs," to real broccoli.

That's not to say this is a lighter-style syrah, though. It's got the oak, spice and leather you're looking for in a California syrah. Hey, I know you and your friends would never wear leather or buy oak furniture over tables and chairs made from recycled soda bottles, so you've got to get it where you can!

Cheers,
TSW

You're out to dinner with your tree-hugging, crunchy, granola friends. As drink orders are taken and requests for soymilk, iced chai and carrot juice are made, you stand out like Exxon at an Earth Day celebration when you ask for a glass of wine.

Gasp! Horror! Your shocked friends look at you as though you personally sprayed pesticides in the vineyards and used unsustainable farming methods.

But take heart! You can order that glass of wine with a sound eco-conscience, knowing that if it's Bonterra, it's organic!

This 1999 syrah is a great choice to pair with any rich, hearty meal, assuming you can find a hearty meal made from certified non-GMO tofu.